Article of Footwear for Leg Protection in Barrel Racing

ABSTRACT

An article of footwear for barrel racing is disclosed. In one embodiment, the article of footwear has an upper pocket associated in the shin region with the upper of the article of footwear. The upper pocket is integrally connected to the upper and sized to receive a detachable shin guard, which shin guard is sized to fit in the upper pocket. The shin guard covers and protects the shin and knee of a barrel racer.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to footwear, and in particular to an article of footwear to be worn during the equestrian athletic activity known as barrel racing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Barrel racing is a rodeo event in which a horse and rider attempt to complete a pattern around preset barrels in the fastest time. It combines a horse's athletic ability and the horsemanship skills of a rider in order to safely and successfully maneuver a horse through a pattern, typically a clover leaf pattern, around three barrels (typically fifty-five gallon metal or plastic drums) placed in a triangle in the center of an arena.

Turns around the barrels are critical moments for a successful pattern. The rider must rate the horse's speed at the right moment to enter the correct path to make a perfect turn. Each turn in barrel racing should be a relatively even half circle around the barrel. As the horse sets up to take the turn, the rider must be in a position that entails sitting deeply in the saddle, using one hand on the horn and the other hand to guide the horse through and around the turn. The rider's legs should be held closely to the horses sides; the leg to the inside of the turn should be held securely along the girth to support the horse's rib cage and give horse and rider a focal point for the turn. The athleticism required for this maneuvering comes from optimum physical fitness of the horse and rider.

Turns around the barrels are also the most likely place for an injury to occur. Although one objective of barrel racing is to avoid collision with the barrel, and a penalty is imposed if the barrel is knocked over (i.e. pre-specified time is added to the rider's total time), it is common for horse and rider to hit a barrel in a turn. For the rider, the leg on the inside of the turn is not only the focal point of the turn, it is also the point closest to the barrel and the point most often in collision contact with the barrel. The most common injury for barrel racing riders is injury to the lower leg, typically to the shin and knee, from collision with the barrel. The rider's foot and ankle are usually protected by cowboy boots designed to fit inside the stirrups of the saddle. Such boots are an expected part of the rider's attire in most rodeo competitive events.

Athletes in a variety of sports protect themselves against injury by utilizing equipment designed to absorb or cushion impacts. In soccer, for example, shin guards have long been used to prevent bruising of the lower leg when the shin is kicked by another player. Known shin guards often include a rigid plate with a strap configured around the upper calf in order to maintain the position of the shin guard. These shin guards may also have extensions that cover the foot or the knee, with corresponding straps around the foot and around the back of the knee. While these straps may help maintain the position of the guard, the increase in position stability often results in lost degrees of freedom of movement of the leg. Such restrictions are particularly problematic in barrel racing. A guard covering a portion of the foot is impractical in barrel racing because it would make the insertion of the boot into the saddle stirrups impossible. Straps around the knee or upper calf of a barrel racer inhibit the movement of the leg, and such movement is often required for timing and communication with the horse, and keeping the legs in position during the full speed gallop of the horse.

There remains a need for an article of footwear that protects the shin and knee while retaining the comfort and utility of cowboy boots for riders in barrel racing events.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An article of footwear configured for barrel racing is disclosed which provides improvements with respect to protection of the knee and lower leg of the rider.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the accompanying figures, reference numerals in different figures refer to corresponding parts throughout the different views and description, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a preferred embodiment worn by a rider mounted on a horse;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of an article of footwear;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of an article of footwear;

FIG. 4 is a cutaway view of a preferred embodiment of a heel of an article of footwear;

FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of a preferred embodiment of an article of footwear;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a shin guard of an article of footwear;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a preferred embodiment of a rider 100 mounted on a horse 102. Rider 100 could be anyone trained to ride a horse in competitive equestrian events such as barrel racing.

In a preferred embodiment, rider 100 may be wearing an article of footwear 104. Preferably, article of footwear 104 may be a boot of some kind. In the current embodiment, article of footwear 104 is preferably configured to be worn in competitive equestrian events, specifically barrel racing.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are isometric views of a preferred embodiment of article of footwear 104. In a preferred embodiment, article of footwear 104 may be a riding boot. For clarity, the following detailed description discusses a preferred embodiment; however, it should be kept in mind that the present invention could also take the form of any other kind of footwear that may be used for barrel racing. Additionally, in some cases, the principles taught here may be applied to other types of footwear, including, for example, ice skates. As shown throughout the figures, article of footwear 104 is intended to be used with a right foot, however it should be understood that the following discussion may equally apply to a mirror image of article of footwear 104 that is intended for use with a left foot.

Article of footwear 104 may include outer member 202. Generally, outer member 202 may comprise an insole, a midsole and an outsole. In some embodiments, outer member 202 may comprise only an insole. In other embodiments, outer member 202 may comprise only a midsole. In some embodiments, outer member 202 may comprise only an outsole.

Outer member 202 preferably includes front sole 206 and heel 208. Front sole 206 is preferably configured to provide support to a forefoot of rider 100. Front sole 206 may have a first thickness T1. Generally, the value of thickness T1 may vary between a centimeter and several centimeters. Likewise, heel 208 may be configured to provide support to a heel of rider 100. Preferably, heel 208 has a second thickness T2 that is greater than first thickness T1. The value of thickness T2 may vary between one centimeter and ten centimeters. In a preferred embodiment, the value of thickness T2 is approximately five centimeters.

Preferably, outer member 202 is raised at arch region 210 of article of footwear 104. This arrangement may facilitate foot support by conforming to the natural arch associated with the foot of rider 100. By varying the thicknesses of front sole 206 and heel 208, the height and shape of arch region 210 may be modified.

Front sole 206 and heel 208 may be made from a substantially rigid material. In some embodiments, front sole 206 and heel 208 may be made of a dense rubber, plastic, coated wood or any other stiff material. Examples of other suitable materials include, but are not limited to, elastomers, siloxanes, aluminum, steel, natural leather, synthetic leather, or plastics. In the current embodiment, front sole 206 and heel 208 are made of a similar material, however, in some embodiments, front sole 206 and heel 208 may be made of different materials. For example, in some embodiments, front sole 206 could be made of a rubber configured to provide traction, while heel 208 may be made of a substantially rigid material configured to provide stability for article of footwear 104.

Outer member 202 may be associated with upper 204. Preferably, upper 204 is configured to receive a foot of rider 100. Additionally, in some embodiments, upper 204 may be configured to receive the lower leg of rider 100. In this preferred embodiment, upper 204 has associated calf region 230 configured to cover the calf of rider 100. Using this preferred arrangement, upper 204 provides protection to the leg and calf of rider 100 during riding, which are generally exposed to sides 108 of horse 102 during riding (see FIG. 1).

Article of footwear 104 may include a fastening system of some kind configured to adjustably tighten upper 204 to the foot of rider 100. In some embodiments, upper 204 may include fastening member 220. Generally, fastening member 220 could be any type of fastening system known in the art for fastening boots or similar types of footwear. Examples of fastening systems include straps, laces, buttons and snaps. In this preferred embodiment, fastening member 220 is a zipper.

In some embodiments, upper 204 may include provisions for protecting one or more regions of the foot of rider 100. In some embodiments, upper 204 may include padding configured to absorb shocks. In a preferred embodiment, upper 204 may include padding configured to protect the ankle of rider 100. In some embodiments, upper 204 may include ankle pad 310 (See FIG. 3). Generally, ankle pad 310 may have any shape. In this embodiment, ankle pad 310 is square. In other embodiments, however, ankle pad 310 may be round, triangular, or have any other kind of shape.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of article of footwear 104 showing heel 208. Article of footwear 104 includes heel 208 that is preferably constructed of a non-deforming material, such as hard plastic, which may tend to weigh more than heels made of rubber or lightweight plastics. Preferably, heel 208 includes provisions for reducing the weight of heel 208. With this configuration, the overall weight of article of footwear 104 may be reduced without compromising the structural integrity of article of footwear 104. Preferably, heel 208 is constructed in a manner that includes one or more cavities. In this embodiment heel 208 includes heel cavity 402. Generally, heel cavity 402 is a hollowed out portion of heel 208. In some embodiments, heel cavity 402 may be open at upper surface 403 of heel 208. In a preferred embodiment, heel cavity 402 does not extend to lower surface 406 of heel 208. This sealed arrangement prevents debris from entering and clogging heel cavity 402. Preferably, heel cavity 402 is also sealed off by upper 204 at upper surface 403.

FIG. 5 is an isometric with cross-section view of a preferred embodiment of article of footwear 104 including provisions for receiving a detachable shin guard. As previously discussed, article of footwear 104 may include upper 204. In a preferred embodiment, upper 204 of article of footwear 104 includes an upper pocket 501. In some embodiments, upper pocket 501 may be disposed in shin region 503 on the exterior of upper 204. In a preferred embodiment, upper pocket 501 may be disposed in shin region 503 on the interior of upper 204.

Preferably upper pocket 501 may function to provide support for and may be sized to receive a detachable shin guard.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, upper 204 of article of footwear 104 has been partially cut away so that a cross section of upper pocket 501 may be clearly seen. Upper pocket 501 may be integrally connected to upper 204. In some embodiments, upper pocket 501 may be connected to upper 204 by rivets, brads, metal or plastic clips, belts, bands, or Velcro. In a preferred embodiment, upper pocket 501 may be integrally connected to upper 204 by thread sewn into upper 204.

Upper pocket 501 may be made of a rigid material configured to receive and hold in place a shin guard. In some embodiments, upper pocket 501 may be made of durable rubber, or durable plastic. In other embodiments, upper pocket 501 may be made of substantially the same material as upper 204. In a preferred embodiment, upper pocket 501 may be made of leather.

Referring to FIG. 6, shin guard 502 may be associated with article of footwear 104. Preferably, shin guard 502 may be associated with article of footwear 104 so as to provide impact resistance and dissipation while remaining flexible and comfortable for rider 100. Shin guard 502 may be integrally connected to upper 204. In some embodiments, shin guard 502 may be connected to upper 204 by rivets, brads, metal or plastic clips, belts, bands, or Velcro. In a preferred embodiment, shin guard 502 is preferably inserted into upper pocket 501.

Shin guard 502 may have any shape capable of covering a portion of the leg of rider 100. Preferably, shin guard 502 may have a generally rectangular shape. In order to accommodate the natural shape of the leg of rider 100, shin guard 502 may include a medial-lateral side curvature, as reflected by the curvature of upper 204 of article of footwear 104. In other words, shin guard 502 may be bent around a center line. When shin guard 502 is positioned generally over the tibia or shin of rider 100, the curvature allows shin guard 502 to fit closely to and more effectively cover the front of the leg of rider 100. In the preferred embodiment, shin guard 502 may be generally rectangular in shape, having a medial-lateral side curvature, and dimensioned to fit entirely within upper pocket 501, as shown in FIG. 5.

Preferably, shin guard 502 includes a skin portion 601, a skin cavity 602, and a pad portion 603. In some embodiments, shin guard 502 may be of unitary construction, where skin portion 601, skin cavity 602, and pad portion 603 are all merged into one by means of unitary material and construction. Skin portion 601 is preferably made from a rigid material capable of absorbing and deflecting the impacts of collisions between a rider's leg and a barrel. Materials for skin portion 601 may include composite materials, metals, resins, and plastics. In one embodiment, skin portion 601 is formed of injection-molded polypropylene to provide a lightweight durable layer. In the preferred embodiment, skin portion 601 is formed of leather.

Skin cavity 602 may be formed by the interior sides of skin portion 601. Pad portion 603 may be sized and dimensioned to fit in skin cavity 602. Pad portion 603 may be made of any flexible, durable, cushioning material, so as to absorb the impact of collisions between the leg and knee of rider 100 and a barrel. In one embodiment, pad portion 603 may be made of foam material such as EVA or latex foam, or a composite material such as cloth-reinforced EVA.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. An article of footwear configured for barrel racing, comprising: an upper having a calf region and a shin region; an upper pocket associated with the upper, the upper pocket being disposed at the shin region of the upper, integrally connected to the upper, and sized to receive a shin guard; and a shin guard comprised of a skin portion, a skin cavity, and a pad portion, the shin guard being sized to fit in the upper pocket.
 2. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the upper pocket is disposed on the exterior of the upper at the shin region of the upper.
 3. The article of footwear according to claim 2, wherein the upper pocket is integrally connected to the upper by one or more adjustable bands.
 4. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the upper pocket is disposed on the interior of the upper at the shin region of the upper.
 5. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the shin guard is rectangular shaped with a medial-lateral curvature along the short axis of said rectangular shape.
 6. An article of footwear configured for barrel racing, comprising: an upper having a calf region and a shin region; a fastening member associated with the upper; an upper pocket associated with the upper, the upper pocket being disposed at the shin region of the upper, integrally connected to the upper, and sized to receive a shin guard; and a shin guard comprised of a skin portion, a skin cavity, and a pad portion, the shin guard being sized to fit in the upper pocket.
 7. The article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein the upper pocket is disposed on the exterior of the upper at the shin region of the upper.
 8. The article of footwear according to claim 7, wherein the upper pocket is integrally connected to the upper by said fastening member.
 9. The article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein the upper pocket is disposed on the interior of the upper at the shin region of the upper.
 10. The article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein the shin guard is rectangular shaped with a medial-lateral curvature along the short axis of said rectangular shape.
 11. An article of footwear configured for barrel racing, comprising: an upper having a calf region and a shin region; a shin guard associated with the upper, the shin guard being disposed at the shin region of the upper, integrally connected to the upper, and comprised of a skin portion, a skin cavity, and a pad portion.
 12. The article of footwear according to claim 11, wherein the shin guard is rectangular shaped with a medial-lateral curvature along the short axis of said rectangular shape. 